Y’all. Something terrible has happened to me- I can’t shop anymore. It’s not that I am not allowed to, it’s that I have become so tight-fisted with my measly bi-weekly “allowance” that I can’t bear to spend it. With the oh-so-lovely Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover that we’re currently doing, my days of reckless spending are over. This, I know, is a good thing that will benefit us tremendously in the long run, but I have to say that right now… it’s terribly un-fun. I go into stores, look around, I may even pick something up, but I inevitably get all stressed out about the $x that I am about to spend, put it back and flee the store. It’s so, so sad.
I am in obsessive decorating mode right now, but I can’t actually spend any money to do it with. So, I have had to get creative and thrifty with my funds. For example, instead of new bookcases for our guest room, I am making over some super cheap Ikea-esque bookshelves that we already had. I have to say, they’re going to look kind of awesome when I am finished with them (don’t worry, I’ll show you once I get around to finishing them). So even though I really miss shopping, I guess it’s good that I am learning new ways to do things that don’t involve throwing money away.
The hardest thing about being on a budget, aside from the aforementioned stuff, is not shopping online. Oh my word, how I LOVE to shop online. To keep myself honest, Trevor and I get cash for our spending money so we’re not tempted to partake in the lovely internet world of money spending. I also put up a picture of a house plan we like as my laptop background to remind myself WHY we are doing this in the first place: to pay off our debt so that we can afford to have nice things later on and actually be able to pay for them. Won’t that be nice? I think so.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
i need to look into the plan you guys are doing. we need to save money too.. and i am terrible at not running out and buying whatever i want.
It’s definitely a great system- it really works!
I feel the same way! My hubby has put me on an allowance to make sure I stick with it because I am ALWAYS tempted to stray from the plan! I love your reminder idea – I just changed my background to help keep me honest. Hang in there – it will be worth it!
i’ve found that if i walk around the store with something long enough- that by the time i go to buy it it’s easier to put it back.
and i go back & forth like 20 times- the husband doesn’t understand but it works.
i’m cheap too- so i feel ya.
Dave Ramsey? I’ll have to check it out. I think I’ve gotten in the mode where I don’t buy anything expect from yardsales and consignment shops.
I have read your blog forever, but have never commented! Any who, I too am on a serious budget…so tough especially when we’ve all been conditioned with instant gratification! Hang in there.
I totally feel your pain. I used to be the spend-money-like-it’s-nothing-type, but about midway through pregnancy, I realized that wouldn’t work for much longer. Paying off debt is high on my list of priorities, but it’s so hard!
Thift stores and yard sales are your best friends! Try a consignment store too! You can get some extra cash and clean out your closets too.
Come by between decorating adventures…
I actually started following your blog because you commented about Dave’s plan on another blog that I follow. I hope that you blog more about your experiences doing the plan. My husband and I are on it too and it is TOUGH. I guess it’s true….misery loves company.
My husband and I did Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover when we first got married – it was tough but it WORKS. Stick with it – you are so right that the long-term payoff is definitely worth the short-term sacrifices! BTW, this is my first comment but I LOVE your blog (as does my officemate who is expecting her first baby – you crack us both up to the point that we have to get up and leave the office sometimes). Thanks for sharing your life with us!
“live like nobody else so that later on you can live like nobody else.”
It’s hard but worth it. We’ve been Dave Ramseying it for the last 4 months. It’s hard when I read all these blog posts on redecorating, lol, but in order to become a SAHM my student loans have got to go.
Hang in there!
I know how you feel! We just finished watching 2 of the Dave Ramsey DVDs & now Hubbs is hooked… unfortunately for me LOL
Dave Ramsey is my favorite. We’ve been doing his program for about a year and so far have everything paid off but our cars (we have no house yet).
Now, to try and fit daycare into the budget .. ugh!
Elizabeth- thanks for the comment! Breaking the spending habit is the hardest part!
Jess- I’ll definitely keep talking about it! Mainly because
I hate it and it’s ruining my lifeit’s so awesome.Josette- Thanks for commenting, I love to hear from you. I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog! (Don’t get in trouble at work, LOL) We’ll definitely stick with it!
Mrs. F- just you wait until he starts figuring out the debt snowball… he’s going to make you stop buying bows for Gianna!
Well.. budgets can bring out the thrifty side in us all! It’s so not fun.. but will be worth it in the long run…
can’t wait to see the shelves!